Compressible tube type fluid pump



Jan- 7, 1964 1'. BILICHNIANSKY COMPRESSIBLE TUBE TYPE FLUID PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 23, 1962 ATTOENE') 1 T. BILICHNIANSKY COMPRESSIBLE TUBE TYPE FLUID PUMP Jan. 7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 23, 1962 I N VEN TOR fill-00086 5/41 oq/v/a/vskf United States Patent Ofiice 3,116,697 Patented Jan. 7, 1964 3,116,697 COMPRESSIBLE TUBE TYPE FLUID PUMP Theodore Biiichniansky, Pleasant Valley, N.Y., assignor to Technicon Instruments Corporation, Chauncey, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 218,879 12 Claims. (Cl. 103-149) This invention relates to fluid pumps of the type wherein one or more resiliently compressible pump tubes are provided for pumping one or more fluids in the form of separate streams.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pump of the type indicated with means to prevent or substantially reduce pulsations of the pumped fluids caused by the pumping operation.

Another object is generally to provide a pump of the type indicated and of improved construction.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the invention considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings of an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a pump according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical side view of the pump with parts cutaway and in section for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of part of the pump;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view, on a larger scale, of part of the pump, taken on line 44 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the pump comprises a housing for the motor 12 and the top of the housing is provided with a support plate 14 which is secured to the top of the housing along its undersurface. A pair of laterally spaced brackets 16 are secured to plate 14, at the inlet side of the pump, and a support pin 20 extends transversely through the brackets. Another pair of laterally spaced brackets 22 is secured to plate 14, at the outlet side of the pump, and the brackets carry a pin 24 which extends transversely through the brackets.

A platen 26 is supported by pins 20 and 24 and extends longitudinally between the inlet and outlet ends of the pump between the laterally spaced brackets 16 and 22. The platen is provided with a flat upper surface 28 for supporting a series of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending, resiliently flexible and compressible pump tubes 30. Tube holding members 32 are mounted at opposite ends of the platen and each member is held in position on the platen by a pair of laterally spaced pins 34 which extend upwardly from the platen through holes provided in the sides of the tube holding members. The function of the tube holding members is to hold the pump tubes in position on the surface of the platen and under slight tension lengthwise of the tubes. For this purpose, the inlet and outlet ends of the pump tubes are provided with collars 36 which engage the undersurface of laterally spaced abutments 38 provided on the tube holding members. A series of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced, grooves 45) is provided in each tube holding member. The inlet ends of the tubes are positioned in the grooves of the tube holding member at the inlet end of the pump, and the outlet ends of the tubes are positioned in the grooves of the other member which is at the outlet end of the pump.

A tube compressing mechanism 42 is positioned in operational relation to the tube supporting surface 28 of the platen for simultaneously compressing the tubes against said surface for the pumping operation. More particularly, the tube compressing mechanism or carrier comprises a pair of laterally spaced circular plates 44 which are mounted on a rotary shaft 46 that is supported on a pair of laterally spaced brackets 48 which are secured to support plate 14. A series of tube compressing rollers 52 extends transversely of the pump tubes between plates 44, and the rollers are arranged in a circular row so that they are circumferentially spaced from each other along the outer circumferential edges of the plates for engaging the pump tubes, in succession, during the rotation of the tube compressing mechanism 42.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, each roller is supported for rotation on a shaft 54 and each end of the shaft is connected to an arm 56 that is connected to a pivot pin 58 which is mounted in a bearing 60 provided in plate 44. Each pin 58 has one end of an arm 62 connected to it, and the opposite end of the arm is connected to one end of a tension spring 64. The opposite end of the tension spring is connected to a pin 66 which extends from the side of plate 44. A pair of laterally spaced spacers 68 can be provided between the ends of the roller 52 adjacent arms 56. In this manner, the tube compressing rollers 52 are spring biased for pivotal movement outwardly in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of shaft 46. A pair of laterally spaced stop pins 70 are provided for each roller and the pins extend inwardly from the sides of plate 44, in the path of movement of arms 56, to limit the outward movement of the rollers.

For rotating the tube compressing mechanism 42, the drive shaft of motor 12 is operatively connected to shaft 46 by any convenient drive means, for example by a belt 72 and pulleys 74a and 7417. During operation of the pump and rotation of the tube compressing mechanism 42, each of the rollers 52, in succession, is moved into simultaneous engagement with the pump tubes- 30 for closing them along a common line, transversely of the pump tubes for the pumping operation, and the rollers move longitudinally of the pump tubes, progressively along their lengths, for simultaneously propelling the fluids through their respective pump tubes.

A pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending side rails 76 are mounted on the surface 28 of the platen and for this purpose the ends of the rails are provided with holes through which the pins 34 extend for holding the rails in position on the platen. The rails are in the path of movement of the rollers 52 and engage the end of the rollers and move them inwardly, on the corresponding pivot pins 58, against the force of springs 64, toward the longitudinal axis of shaft 46, after the respective roller has engaged the tubes and closed them for the pumping operation. As a result of the movement of the roller inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the tube compressing mechanism, the roller moves longitudinally along the pump tubes toward the adjacent leading roller to shorten the portions of the lengths of the tubes which are engaged between said pair of rollers. This causes an increase in the pressure of the fluid in the corresponding engaged portions of the tubes, and in the case of a liquid, an expansion of said portions of the tubes, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Continued rotation of the tube compressing mechanism moves the leading roller 52 to the chamfered edge 78 (FIG. 4) of the platen surface 28 at which time the roller begins to release the corresponding engaged portions of the pump tubes. Heretofore, release of the engaged portions of the pump tubes caused a backflow of fluid from the downstream side of the pump tubes due to the greater pressure of the fluid in said portions of the tubes. The supply of fluid under increased pressure in the previously shortened portions of the pump tubes, immediately adjacent to the just released portion of the tubes, prevents or substantially reduces such backflow, so that pulsations of the pumped fluid in the tubes are prevented or substantially reduced.

It is to be noted that the side rails 76 extend downstream from chamfered end 78 and guide the movement of the tube compressing rollers so that there is a gradual release of the engaged portions of the pump tubes as a result of the movement of the rollers. The inlet side of the platen surface 28 may also be provided With a chamfered end 80. The number of tube compressing rollers 52 is selected so that there is always at least a pair of rollers in tube-closing engagement with the pump tubes.

The pump tubes may be of difierent internal diameters so that diflerent rates of flow may be provided through each pump tube, but they are all of the same wall thickness so that they may all be simultaneously closed by the tube compressing rollers 52. In this regard it will be understood that the thickness of the side rails 76 is selected so that it is approximately twice the thickness of the walls of the pump tubes to insure complete closing of the pump tubes without any undue pressure or distortion of the pump tubes.

The platen 26 may be readily removed from the pump for replacement or change of pump tubes by removing the support pins 20 and 24 and in this regard it will be understood that said pins are mounted in their respective support brackets for easy removal. The platen is mounted at the outlet end of the pump for pivotal movement on pin 24 and pin 20 engages the undersurface of the platen at the inlet end of the pump.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in the form and arrangement of parts and in the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; tube compressing means for closing the tube progressively along its length at two points spaced from each other longitudinally of the tube for the pumping operation, and means operable automatically during at least part of said pumping operation for decreasing the distance between said two points and thereby increasing the fluid pressure in the length of the tube corresponding to said decreased distance.

2. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; relatively movable companion tube compressing means between which the tube is engaged for closing the tube progressively along its length at two points spaced from each other longitudinally of the tube for the pumping operation, one of said means comprising carrier means mounting a plurality of laterally spaced members movable in successive pairs in relation to the other companion compressing means into said tube closing relation and longitudinally of the tubes for the pumping operation, said members being movable laterally toward and away from each other on said carrier means, and means bias ing said members for movement to predetermined positions, said members being automatically moved in pairs toward each other against said bias in said tube closing relation of said tube compressing means for increasing the fluid pressure in the length of tubing between the pair of members.

3. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; means for supporting a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes disposed laterally of each other, means operable in conjunction with said tube supporting means to simultaneously close the tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, said tube closing means comprising a series of tube compressing members laterally spaced from each other and mounted for movement longitudinally of said tubes in engagement therewith to close said tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, and means for moving successive pairs of said tube-closing members into engagement with and longitudinally of said tubes for said closing of the tubes progressively along their lengths and for simultaneously moving said successive pairs of tube-closing members relatively toward each other for increasing the pressure of the fluid in the lengths of tubing, respectively, between the companion tube-closing members in said tube-closing positions of said companion tube closing members.

4. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; means for supporting a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes disposed laterally of each other, means operable in conjunction with said tube supporting means to simultaneously close the tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, said tube closing means comprising a series of tube compressing rollers laterally spaced from each other and mounted for movement longitudinally of said tubes in engagement therewith to close said tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, means mounting said rollers for relative move ment of two successive rollers toward each other in the tube engaging position of said rollers for shortening the portions of the lengths of the tubes engaged between said successive rollers to increase the pressure of the fluids between said engaged portions of the tubes, and means for moving said successive rollers toward each other in said tube engaging position of said rollers.

5. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; means for supporting a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes disposed laterally of each other, rotary means carrying a series of tube compressing rollers arranged in a circular row and circumferentially spaced from each other, means mounting said roller carrying means for rotation about its longitudinal axis for operation in conjunction with said tube supporting means to simultaneously engage said tubes by said rollers, in succession, and to move longitudinally of the tubes to simultaneously close the tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, means mounting said rollers for movement inwardly toward said longitudinal axis of said roller carrying means in the tube engaging position of said rollers so that the portions of the lengths of the tubes engaged between said successive rollers are shortened to increase the pressure of the fluids between said engaged portions of the tubes, and means for moving said successive rollers toward each other in said tube engaging position of said rollers.

6. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; means for supporting a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes disposed laterally of each other, rotary means carrying a series of tube compressing rollers arranged in a circular row and circumferentially spaced from each other, means mounting said roller carrying means for rotation about its longitudinal axis for operation in conjunction with said tube supporting means to simultaneously engage said tubes by said rollers, in succession, and to move longitudinally of the tubes to simultaneously close the tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, means mounting said rollers for pivotal movement inwardly toward said longitudinal axis of said roller carrying means, and means for engaging said rollers and moving them inwardly toward said longitudinal axis in the tube engaging position of said rollers so that the portions of the lengths of the tubes engaged between successive rollers are shortened to increase the pressure of the fluids between said engaged portions of the tubes.

7. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; means for supporting a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes disposed laterally of each other, rotary means carrying a series of tube compressing rollers arranged in a circular row and circumferentially spaced from each other, means mounting said roller carrying means for rotation about its longitudinal axis for operation in conjunction with said tube supporting means to simultaneously engage said tubes by said rollers, in succession, and to move longitudinally of the tubes to simultaneously close the tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, and means mounting said rollers for pivotal movement inwardly toward said longitudi nal axis of said roller carrying means, said tube carrying means including means in the path of travel of said rollers for engaging the latter after said rollers have engaged said tubes for moving said rollers inwardly toward said longitudinal axis so that the portions of the lengths of the tubes engaged between successive rollers are shortened to increase the pressure of the fluids between said engaged portions of the tubes.

8. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; means for supporting a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes disposed laterally of each other, rotary means carrying a series of tube compressing rollers arranged in a circular row and circumferentially spaced from each other, means mounting said roller carrying means for rota-tion about its longitudinal axis for operation in conjunction with saidtube supporting means to simultaneously engage said tubes by said rollers, in succession, and to move longitudinally of the tubes to simultaneously close the tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, means mounting said rollers for pivotal movement inwardly toward said longitudinal axis of said roller carrying means, said tube carrying means including means in the path of travel of said rollers for engaging the latter after said rollers have engaged said tubes for moving said rollers inwardly toward said longitudinal axis so that the portions of the lengths of the tubes engaged between successive rollers are shortened to increase the pressure of the fluids between said engaged portions of the tubes, and spring means biasing said rollers outwardly, away from said longitudinal axis.

9. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; means for supporting a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes disposed laterally of each other, rotary means carrying a series of tube compressing rollers arranged in a circular row and circumferentially spaced from each other, means mounting said roller carrying means for rotation about its longitudinal axis of operation in conjunction with said tube supporting means to simultaneously engage said tubes by said rollers, in succession, and to move longitudinally of the tubes to simultaneously close the tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, means mounting sald rollers for pivotal movement inwardly toward said longitudinal axis of said roller carrying means, and a pair of members 6 laterally spaced from each other and extending longitudinally of said tube supporting means in the path of travel of said rollers for engaging the opposite ends thereof after said rollers have engaged said tubes for moving said rollers inwardly toward said longitudinal axis so that the portions of the lengths of the tubes engaged between successive rollers are shortened to increase the pressure of the fluids between said engaged portions of the tubes.

10. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type;

means for supporting a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes disposed laterally of each other, rotary means carrying a series of tube compressing rollers arranged in a circular row and circumferentially spaced from each other, means mounting said roller carrying means for rotation about its longitudinal axis of operation in conjunction with said tube supporting means to simultaneously engage said tubes by said rollers, in succession, and to move longitudinally of the tubes to simultaneously close the tubes progressively along their lengths for the pumping operation, means mounting said rollers for pivotal movement inwardly toward said longitudinal axis of said roller carrying means, a pair of members laterally spaced from each other and extending longitudinally of said tube supporting means in the path of travel of said rollers for engaging the opposite ends thereof after said rollers have engaged said tubes for moving said rollers inwardly toward said longitudinal axis so that the portions of the lengths of the tubes engaged between successive rollers are shortened to increase the pressure of the fluids between said engaged portions of the tubes, and spring means biasing said rollers outwardly, away from said longitudinal axis.

11. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; a platen having a supporting surface for a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes positioned laterally of each other on said surface and extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of tube holding members mounted on said platen and spaced from each other longitudinally of said platen for holding said tubes in said lateral position on said surface, rotary means positioned in operational relation to said tube supporting surface and carrying a series of tube compressing rollers extending transversely of said platen and arranged in a circular row circumferentially spaced from each other, means mounting said roller carrying means for rotation about its longitudinal axis for moving said rollers, in succession, into position and longitudinally of said tubes for simultaneously engaging said tubes along a common line transversely of said tubes for simultaneously closing said tubes against said surface and along said line progressively along the lengths of said tubes for the pumping opera tion, means mounting said rollers on said roller carrying means for pivotal movement inwardly toward said longitudinal axis, a pair of members mounted on said surface of said platen, said members being laterally spaced from each other, and extending longitudinally of said surface, in the path of travel of said rollers for engaging the opposite ends thereof, in succession, after said rollers have engaged said tubes for moving said rollers inwardly toward said longitudinal axis so that the portions of the lengths of the tubes engaged between successive rollers are shortened to increase the pressure of the fluids between said engaged portions of the tubes, and spring means biasing said rollers outwardly, away from said longitudinal axis.

12. In a fluid pump of the compressible tube type; a platen having a supporting surface for a plurality of resiliently compressible pump tubes positioned laterally of each other on said surface and extending longitudinally thereof, a pin of tube holding members mounted on said platen and spaced from each other longitudinally of said platen for holding said tubes in said lateral position on said surface, rotary means positioned in operational relation to said tube supporting surface and carrying a series of tube compressing rollers extending transversely of said platen and arranged in a circular row circumferentially spaced from each other, means mounting said roller carrying means for rotation about its longitudinal axis for moving said rollers, in succession, into position and longitudinally of said tubes for simultaneously engaging said tubes along a common line transversely of said tubes for simultaneously closing said tubes against said surface and along said line progressively 7 along the lengths of said tubes for the pumping operation, means mounting said rollers on said roller carrying means for pivotal movement inwardly toward said longitudinal axis, a pair of members mounted on said surface of said platen, said members being laterally spaced from each other, and extending longitudinally of said surface, in the path of travel of said rollers for engaging the opposite ends thereof, in succession, after said rollers have engaged said tubes for moving said rollers inwardly toward said longitudinal axis so that the portions of the lengths of the tubes engaged between successive rollers are shortened to increase the pressure of the fluids between said engaged portions of the tubes, said members having parts which extend beyond said surface at the downstream side of said pump to permit the gradual release of'said engaged portions of said tubes by said rollers, and spring means biasing said rollers outwardly, away from said longitudinal axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,804,023 Lee Aug. 27, 1957 

1. IN A FLUID PUMP OF THE COMPRESSIBLE TUBE TYPE; TUBE COMPRESSING MEANS FOR CLOSING THE TUBE PROGRESSIVELY ALONG ITS LENGTH AT TWO POINTS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER LONGITUDINALLY OF THE TUBE FOR THE PUMPING OPERATION, AND MEANS OPERABLE AUTOMATICALLY DURING AT LEAST PART OF SAID PUMPING OPERATION FOR DECREASING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID TWO POINTS AND THEREBY INCREASING THE FLUID PRESSURE IN THE LENGTH OF THE TUBE CORRESPONDING TO SAID DECREASED DISTANCE. 